Exploring C.S. Lewis's The Last Battle: Themes and Analysis

C.S. Lewiss The Last Battle Book VII of The Chronicles of Narnia January 24, 2024 St. Philip s Church The Rev d Brian K. McGreevy, J.D., Facilitator

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. --Galatians 3: 1, 13-14

How to approach this class: --On the beach --Snorkeling --Scuba diving --Email list How to read this book: --Try reading aloud and slowly, looking for layers of meaning --Fine to read ahead

The Last Battle Book VII in The Chronicles of Narnia Completed in 1953 but first published in 1956, with illustrations by Pauline Baynes Is it a marvelous capstone work that draws all the children s Narnia stories to a fitting close? Or is it a profound reflection on the sin of Eden, the means of Grace, and the Glory of Heaven? Or is it a parable about following Jesus that is particularly applicable to 21st century America and the importance of Word and Truth?

Chapter 3: The Ape in Its Glory --a clearing on a hill with a stable/thatched hut in the center --the Ape holding court and surrounded by both Narnians and Calormenes --the Ape declaring he is a man AND the intermediary for all communication with Aslan Chapter 4: What Happened that Night --Tirian is tied to a tree some distance away from but distantly in sight of the stable --Night falls and small Narnian animals tend to Tirian s needs, giving him wine from a cup --Tirian cries out to Aslan for aid not for himself but to save Narnia --Tirian has a vision of another world where he encounters Peter and the other children but is unable to speak Chapter 5: How Help Came to the King --Tirian, still tied to the tree, is shocked when suddenly the youngest boy and girl from his dream appear in front of him --Jill and Eustace introduce themselves, free Tirian from captivity, and compare history with him --They escape through the woods to a Narnian guard tower --Before doing anything else, they put on armor and disguises so they are prepared for any eventuality

Chapter 6: A Good Nights Work --Tirian, favorably impressed with Eustace and Jill s skills at archery and swordfighting, wears them out and ensures they get a good sleep before setting out on their quest --Waking early, they agree that the very first thing they must do is rescue Jewel the Unicorn --Making Jill the pathfinder, they soon reach Stable Hill and begin to execute Tirian s plan --Having rescued Jewel, Tirian rejoins Eustace, but Jill has disappeared --Jill soon reappears, having with her Puzzle the Donkey (the fake Aslan), whom she has taken from the stable, and implores Tirian to spare him because he was manipulated by the Ape Themes in Chapter 6 Taking care of those in your charge Honestly assessing the gifts of those in your fellowship Making a priority of aiding your friends Let gifts and skills rather than stereotypes dictate roles in the quest Planning wisely, allowing for both success and failure Standing up for Truth Laughter and good news make the soul glad

Chapter 7: Mainly About Dwarfs --Tirian and company encounter a group of Dwarfs, whom they liberate from their Calormene captors --Tirian reveals Puzzle and the lion skin to the Dwarfs, showing how the Ape tricked them --Rather than rejoice at the news and commit to serving the true Aslan by fighting back against the Ape and the Calormenes, the Dwarfs instead choose cynicism and disbelief, shocking Tirian, and they march away --One loyal Narnian dwarf, Poggin, makes his way back to join Tirian, and shares new information about the plots of the Enemy, now being directed by Ginger the Cat and Rishda Tarkaan Themes in Chapter 7: Clear evidence of the Truth may fail to convince skeptics whose hearts are hardened Kindness and sacrifice may be met with indifference rather than gratitude Cynicism and self-centeredness can blind people to the Truth The physical presence of a friend in time of trial is a more important comfort than mere words One convert who sees the Truth can bring great joy and encouragement Lies can take on a life of their own and become the dominant narrative, changing behavior as a result Unbelief and self-interest lead to regarding other creatures as only means to an end

Chapter 8: What News the Eagle Brought --the rank smell of death accompanies the arrival of Tash in Narnia --Tirian and company decide to await Roonwit the Centaur and allies from Cair Paravel before returning to Stable Hill to challenge the Ape --there is a time of respite as they enjoy the beauty of Narnia as they walk towards Cair Paravel, and Jewel reflects on the many years of peace and beauty in Narnia --Farsight the Eagle drops down from the sky and shares dread tidings with them that Cair Paravel has fallen to a Calormene surprise attack from the sea and that Roonwit has perished in its defense; Tirian declares that Narnia is no more Themes in Chapter 8: The reality of Tash and of Evil and of demons Persecution may come to those who hold fast to the Truth The beauty of Creation in nature is a tonic in evil times The glory of happy and peaceful times brings Joy in the present and in remembering All worlds will draw to an end

Chapter 9: The Meeting at Stable Hill --Tirian and company realize that the Tisroc has been using the Ape all along, and that they must battle the Calormenes on two fronts --Tirian tries to send Jill and Eustace to a safe place, but they resist, while also realizing they have no means of returning to their own world --The company plans carefully, trying to use their gifts and natural advantages --Jill and Eustace have a deep moment of fellowship sharing their fears --Following a dangerous journey through the woods, they arrive at Stable Hill --Rishda Tarkaan and Ginger the Cat use the Ape as their mouthpiece to proclaim that an impostor Aslan is about, a donkey wearing a lionskin, and must be dealt with Themes in Chapter 9: Proclaim the Truth and take the adventure Vulnerability and sharing burdens brings comfort even when the situation is dire Fighting for a noble cause, even if risky, is better than hiding and avoiding the fight Fellowship and doing the next thing in the midst of crisis helps to avoid despair Communicating love and forgiveness in extreme circumstances is important When you make an alliance with Evil, Evil will end up controlling you Lies with a little truth mixed in are the most dangerous type of deception and can cut the ground out from under the Truth

Proclaim the Truth and take the adventure Nothing now remains for us seven but to go back to Stable Hill, proclaim the truth, and take the adventure that Aslan sends us. And if, by a great marvel, we defeat those thirty Calormenes who are with the Ape, then to turn again and die in battle with the far greater host of them that will soon march from Cair Paravel. And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained bythe Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:22-24 When they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. Acts 5:40-42

Vulnerability and sharing burdens brings comfort even when the situation is dire This time Jill and Eustace walked together. They had been feeling very brave when they were begging to be allowed to come with the others, but now they didn't feel brave at all. "Pole," said Eustace in a whisper. "I may as well tell you I've got the wind up." "Oh you're all right, Scrubb," said Jill. "You can fight. But I I'm just shaking, if you want to know the truth." "Oh shaking's nothing," said Eustace. "I'm feeling I'm going to be sick." "Don't talk about that, for goodness' sake," said Jill. They went on in silence for a minute or two. "Pole," said Eustace presently. "What?" said she. "What'll happen if we get killed here?" "Well, we'll be dead, I suppose." "But I mean, what will happen in our own world? Shall we wake up and find ourselves back in that trail? Or shall we just vanish and never be heard of any more? Or shall we be dead in England?" "Gosh. I never thought of that. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. I Cor. 2:3-4 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35

Fighting for a noble cause, even if risky, is better than hiding and avoiding the fight "It'll be rum for Peter and the others if they saw me waving out of the window and then when the train comes in we're nowhere to be found! Or if they found two I mean, if we're dead over there in England." "Ugh!" said Jill. "What a horrid idea." "It wouldn't be horrid for us," said Eustace. "We shouldn't be there." "I almost wish no I don't, though," said Jill. "What were you going to say?" "I was going to say I wished we'd never come. But I don't, I don't, I don t. Even if we are killed. I'd rather be killed fighting for Narnia than grow old and stupid at home and perhaps go about in a bathchair and then die in the end just the same. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:36-39 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two,they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated of whom the world was not worthy wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. Hebrews 11:13-16, 35-38

Fellowship and doing the next thing in the midst of crisis helps to avoid despair While Jill and Eustace were talking about this, the others were discussing their plans and becoming less miserable. That was because they were now thinking of what was to be done this very night and the thought of what had happened to Narnia the thought that all her glories and joys were over was pushed away into the back part of their minds. The moment they stopped talking it would come out and make them wretched again: but they kept on talking. Poggin was really quite cheerful about the nights' work they had to do. He was sure that the Boar and the Bear, and probably all the Dogs would come over to their side at once. And he couldn't believe that all the other Dwarfs would stick to Griffle. And fighting by firelight and in and out among trees would be an advantage to the weaker side. And then, if they could win tonight, need they really throw their lives away by meeting the main Calormene army a few days later? For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8 Turn away from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart 2 Timothy 2:22 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Communicating love and forgiveness in extreme circumstances is important Tirian, with his head against Jewel's flank, slept as sound as if he were in his royal bed at Cair Paravel, till the sound of a gong beating awoke him and he sat up and saw that there was firelight on the far side of the stable and knew that the hour had come. "Kiss me, Jewel," he said. "For certainly this is our last night on earth. And if ever I offended against you in any matter great or small, forgive me now." "Dear King," said the Unicorn, "I could almost wish you had, so that I might forgive it. Farewell. We have known great joys together. If Aslan gave me my choice I would choose no other life than the life I have had and no other death than the one we go to." Then they woke up Farsight who was asleep with his head under his wing (it made him look as if he had no head at all) and crept forward to the stable. Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:34 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:1-4 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again .And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship. Acts 20:24-25, 36-38

When you make an alliance with Evil, Evil will end up controlling you Three figures appeared. One was Rishda Tarkaan, the Calormene Captain. The second was the Ape. He was holding onto the Tarkaan's hand with one paw and kept whimpering and muttering, "Not so fast, don't go so fast, I'm not at all well. Oh my poor head! These midnight meetings are getting too much for me. Apes aren't meant to be up at night: It's not as if I was a rat or a bat oh my poor head." On the other side of the Ape, walking very soft and stately, with his tail straight up in the air, came Ginger the Cat. Rishda Tarkaan dragged the Ape up close to the fire. The pair of them turned to face the crowd, and this of course meant that their backs were towards Tirian and his friends. "Now, Monkey," said Rishda Tarkaan in a low voice. "Say the words that wiser heads have put into thy mouth. And hold up thy head." As he spoke he gave the Ape a little prod or kick from behind with the point of his toe. "Do leave me alone," muttered Shift. But he sat up straighter and began, in a louder voice "Now listen, all of you. A terrible thing has happened. A wicked thing. The wickedest thing that ever was done in Narnia. And Aslan " "Tashlan, fool," whispered Rishda Tarkaan. Gandalf to Saruman: "There can be only one Lord of the Rings, only one who can bend them to his will. And he does not share power!" Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Cor. 6:14 If your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! Matthew 6:23 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. I John 3:7-8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Gal. 6:8

Lies with a little truth mixed in are the most dangerous type of deception and can cut the ground out from under the Truth "Yes," said the Ape. "At this very moment, when the Terrible One himself is among us there in the stable just behind me one wicked Beast has chosen to do what you'd think no one would dare to do even if He were a thousand miles away. It has dressed itself up in a lionskin and is wandering about in these very woods pretending to be Aslan." Jill wondered for a moment if the Ape had gone mad. Was he going to tell the whole truth? A roar of horror and rage went up from the Beasts. "Grrr!" came the growls, "Who is he? Where is he? Just let me get my teeth into him! Jill looked at the King: his mouth was open and his face was full of horror. And then she understood the devilish cunning of the enemies' plan. By mixing a little truth with it they had made their lie far stronger. What was the good, now, of telling the Beasts that an ass had been dressed up as a lion to deceive them? The Ape would only say, "That's just what I've said." What was the good of showing them Puzzle in his lionskin? They would only tear him in pieces. "That's taken the wind out of our sails," whispered Eustace. "The ground is taken from under our feet," said Tirian. No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. Ps. 101:7 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. Prov. 12:17 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Mt. 24:24 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. I John 1:6 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Cor. 4:2

O CHURCH ARISE Stuart Townend & Keith Getty, 2004 O Church arise and put your armor on! Hear the call of Christ our captain For now the weak can say that they are strong in the strength that God has given With shield of faith and belt of truth we'll stand against the devil's lies An army bold whose battle cry is love reaching out to those in darkness. Our call to war, to love the captive soul, but to rage against the captor And with the sword that makes the wounded whole we will fight with faith and valor When faced with trials on ev'ry side, we know the outcome is secure, And Christ will have the prize for which He died, an inheritance of nations. Come, see the cross where love and mercy meet, as the Son of God is stricken Then see His foes lie crushed beneath His feet, for the Conqueror has risen And as the stone is rolled away, and Christ emerges from the grave, This vict'ry march continues till the day ev'ry eye and heart will see Him So Spirit, come, put strength in ev'ry stride, give grace for ev'ry hurdle, That we may run with faith to win the prize of a servant good and faithful As saints of old still line the way, retelling triumphs of His grace, We hear their calls and hunger for the day when, with Christ, we stand in glory.